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| My drawing AE86 Trueno |
AE86 Introduction
The AE86 generation of the Toyota Corolla Levin and Toyota Sprinter Trueno is a small, lightweight coupe introduced by Toyota in 1983 as part of the fifth generation Toyota Corolla line-up. For the purpose of brevity, the insider-chassis code of "AE86" is used to describe the whole range. In classic Toyota code, the "A" represents the engine that came in the car (the 3A and 4A) and the E86 represents the 6th revision of the fifth generation (E80 series) of the E model which is the Corolla. The visual difference between the Levin and Trueno is that the Levin has fixed-headlights and the latter has retractable headlights. The export model name Corolla covers both variations. The AE86 (along with the lower spec 1,452 cubic centimetres (1.452 L) AE85 and 1587 cc SR5 versions) was rear wheel drive (unlike the front wheel drive CE80, EE80 and AE82 models), and is among the last rear-drive cars of its type, at a time when most passenger cars were being switched to front-drive. In 1987, there was a limited edition model of the AE86 called "Black Limited" that served as a send-off model before the AE86 chassis was replaced later that year by the front wheel drive AE92 Corolla/Sprinter range. In Japan, the AE86 was also known as the Hachi-Roku (?????), Japanese for "eight-six".
AE86 Version
The AE86 was first produced in 1983 in Japan and this continued until half way through 1987. During this time there were two distinct versions produced, the zenki and the kouki. These two versions can be distinguished by their front indicators and their rear lights. The zenki has small front mounted indicators and rear lights with the word 'SPRINTER' across the top of the right light. The kouki has larger corner mounted front indicators and rear lights with either a red band across the top or a black band with a white stripe.
The AE86 was available in two body types, these were the coupe and the hatchback. The hatchback is the frame most enthusiasts think of when discussing the AE86.
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| AE86 Coupe |
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| AE86 Hatchback |
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| AE86 Trueno |
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| AE86 Levin |
Models/specifications
In Japan, the DOHC 4A-GEU AE86 was offered in GT, GT-APEX and GTV trims as the Corolla Levin or Sprinter Trueno, with the SOHC 3A-U AE85 version sold in a variety of trims including SR, GT, et cetera. In North America, the top-spec DOHC 4A-GEC was sold as the Corolla GT-S AE88, with the SOHC 4A-C AE86 bearing the Corolla SR5 tag. Both versions sold with pop-up headlights only. Euro spec models were sold as the Corolla GT with DOHC engines and fixed Levin-style headlights. The Middle East received the same basic model as the North American market, with pop-up headlights and the regulated 5 mph (8 km/h) bumpers.
The lightest AE86 is the Japanese 2 door GT model which weighs 910 kg (2,006 lb). It has the same exterior as the GTV trim, but with the interior of the AE85 with the exception of the gauges, and is equipped with rear drum brakes.
North American AE86 specifications
There are three types of Corolla Sport RWD for the US market: DX, SR5, and GT-S, though the DX was generally an internal Toyota designation, as brochures, and advertising do not include the DX designation;[1] it consisted of a lower trim level, lighter duty suspension parts and the like.
Model Years of production: 1983 to 1987
Versions: DX, SR5 and GT-S (85+ Only)
Drag Coefficient: 0.39
DX & SR5 specifications
Chassis Code: AE86 (which may differ from the VIN)
Horsepower: 87 hp (64 kW) @ 4800 rpm* Torque: 85 ft·lbf (115 N·m) @ 2800 rpm*
Weight: approximately 2200 lb (998 kg) to 2400 lb (1089 kg)
Engine: 4AC, 1587 cc
Engine Type: SOHC 8-valve Inline-4 Carburated
M/T Transmission: T50, 6-bolt flywheel
A/T Transmission: A42DL, 4-speed overdrive w/lockup torque converter, mechanically controlled, with electronically engaged overdrive
Compression: 9.0:1
Differential: 6.38" Open with 4.10:1 Ratio, 2-pinion (Automatic) (S292) or 3.91:1 Ratio, 4-pinion (5-speed) (S314)
Wheels/Tires: 13x5" +33 mm Offset Rims with 185/70R13 Tires
First 7 Digits of VIN: JT2AE85 (DX) or JT2AE86 (SR5)
GT-S specifications
Chassis Code: AE86 (which may differ from the VIN)
Horsepower: 112 hp (84 kW) @ 6600 rpm* Torque: 97 ft·lbf (132 N·m) @ 4800 rpm*
Weight: approximately 2200 lb (998 kg) to 2400 lb (1089 kg)
Engine: 4AGE, 1587 cc
Engine Type: DOHC 16-valve Inline-4 AFM Multiport Fuel Injection w/T-VIS
Transmission: T50, 8-bolt flywheel
Injector Size: approx. 180 cc, low impedance
Compression: 9.4:1
Differential: 6.7" Open (T282) or optional LSD (USA Only) (T283) with 4.30:1 Ratio, 2-pinion
Wheels/Tires: 14x5.5" +27 mm Offset Rims with 185/60R14 82H Tires (195/60R14 85H for 86+ models)
First 7 Digits of VIN: JT2AE88
The 4A-GE
In 1984 the 4A-GE was introduced as the replacement for Toyotas respected 2T-G engine. The 2T-G had a reputation as being a strong reliable engine and many people were initially scared of the fragile appearance of the 4A-GE. With 4 valves per cylinder, Toyota had to be careful with their construction methods as this new configuration did not allow for a design as visually robust as the 2T-G. This is because the head had to make way for 2 extra valves per cylinder and the engine as a whole needed to allow for high revolutions. Toyota improved its metallurgy to resolve these issues.
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| 4A-GE Engine |
Why AE86 is so popular?
Although the AE86 is now 18 years old it is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. There are three major factors contributing to this, firstly a Japanese cartoon called Initial D, secondly a form of Japanese motorsport known as drifting, and thirdly a lack of affordable, small rear wheel drive cars on the used car market.
In Initial D a young Japanese man who drives an AE86 engages in street racing with many of the most respected cars in the world today such as the Nissan Skyline GTR and the Mazda RX7. The series emphasizes the importance of driving ability and shows that expensive and powerful cars are useless without a skilled driver.
Drifting is a popular Japanese motorsport that involves inducing over-steer, usually in a rear wheel driven vehicle. This results in loss of traction in the rear wheels and the idea is to maintain this throughout the corner. Competition in Japan are rated on things such as drift style and ensuring the vehicle is drifted where ever possible. Drifting can be a graceful sport when executed properly but very expensive when things go wrong... and they usually do.
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| Good drift |
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| Bad drift |
Finally, the most significant reason for me buying my AE86 was this. The AE86 was one of the last, if not the last, cheap rear wheel drive light light sports cars. After production of the AE86 ceased in 1987 there was very little choice for anyone wanting a similar car, most manufacturers, including Toyota switched to a front wheel drive format. The advantage of front wheel drive is that they generally weigh less, have more cabin space due to having no transmission tunnel, and are often thought of as safer for the average driver to handle. As most performance car enthusiasts know, if you open the throttle to much in a powerful rear wheel drive on a corner the consequences are usually much worse than doing the same in a powerful front wheel driven vehicle.
Because of the reasons above the AE86 has become a very collectable car and has a price to match. If you are lucky enough to find one to purchase, expect to pay anywhere from $4000 NZD to $8000 NZD. All that for an 18 year old car.... there must be something to it.
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| AE86 action in Initial D movie |
Video drifting by Initial D:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3fqEvxLerA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWhZWX3FnXg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFSl4oVwvqk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M30ew4H5jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8fEzx-fA0U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcYMDGbT3MM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyDwlp_uN1o
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